The chilly weather couldn’t stop Hamden Mayor-elect Lauren Garrett from cheering to the electoral victory as she stood by her children and a tiki torch in her backyard last night.
Reports show Garrett gathered 6,653 votes to Republican candidate Ron Gambardella’s 5,349. While Garrett’s Democratic council and Board of Education candidates on Row A will continue working alongside her, she expressed her gratitude to her team and diverse council.
Out of the 20 races held on election night, Democrat-endorsed candidates won 19.
“This is not my win. This is all of our wins. I know that I would not be here without you,” Garrett said. “And I want to thank all of you for being here for me and being here for an amazing team. I am so proud of the people that I’ve had the honor to run with.”
Garrett went on to congratulate the Row A candidates, calling them “strong and amazing and talented and intelligent.” She also promised them that she would remember that they campaigned together and will run, and make changes for, Hamden together.
Incumbent Mayor Curt Leng and former Independent candidate Al Lotto were write-in candidates. Lotto received 231 votes, while Leng collected 47.
Family, friends and supporters excitedly filled Garrett’s backyard when they received the election results. The impassioned group popped champagne, ravaged pizza, danced, hugged and shouted for joy.
“This is who Hamden is,” said Tameeka Parks, a Hamden resident. “It’s as diverse as the ticket, and we’re expecting great things.”
Parks’ residential experience and support for her husband, newly elected Board of Education (BOE) member Ruel Parks, and Garrett sparked an awareness of the election.
“It was interesting, we learned a lot about the process,” Parks said. “We realized if we see that there are issues that are challenges, we have to be the change we want to see. So just going through the process with him, canvassing and just talking to people, it’s a lot of work, but it’s fulfilling and definitely worth it.”
Yvonne Jones, founder of the non-profit D.ES.T.I.N.E.D To Succeed, felt “absolutely great” about the election results and diverse newly elected officials as she anticipates changes for Hamden.
“I’m expecting transparency more than anything,” Jones said. “I love the diverse ticket simply because Hamden is a diverse town and it mimics exactly what Hamden looks like.”
George Levinson, the 2015 independent candidate who Leng succeeded, is thrilled to see Garrett on her new journey as he believes she will be a “dedicated mayor.”
“She’s a great gal, she’s got a lot on the ball, she is very diligent,” Levinson said. “She knows about all kinds of issues in detail and they won’t be putting anything over her for sure.”
Adrian Webber celebrates Garrett victory. Photo by Dena Dupree. 
Garrett supporters celebrate with a selfie. Photo by Dena Dupree. 
Garrett and Mariam Khan celebrate their respective victories as mayor and BOE member. Photo by Dena Dupree. 
Garrett supporters embrace and cheer as she announces her victory. Photo by Dena Dupree.
Melissa Kaplan, a professor at Quinnipiac University and BOE member who won reelection on Row A, said she was optimistic about bringing changes to Hamden with Garrett leading the charge.
“I’m excited about change. I’m excited about new leadership,” Kaplan said. “I think it’s time to see, really, a fresh start to Hamden and there’s great energy on this slate. And so I’m delighted to work with such a diverse and really amazing, experienced coalition of people.”
Garrett’s victory speech culminated with thank-you’s and an allusion to the spirit of collectivity and togetherness her slate preached on the campaign trail.
“You guys are amazing … I’m so proud of the work you’ve done. And I’m so proud that we get to make changes together, that we get to change Hamden — that we get to turn this into a vibrant community,” Garrett said.